Russian Security Council Chairman shows interest in medication shortage in Krasnoyarsk region
Rewritten Article:
folks in Krasnoyarsk Krai have been complaining about a lack of essential medications distributed through legal programs since February. This issue has caught the attention of Alexander Bastrykin, the head of Russia's Investigative Committee.
In early March, authorities took notice of the widespread complaints from Krasnoyarsk residents on social media about the shortage of medications for those on discounted programs. Following this, the regional office of the Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case against unidentified officials at the regional Ministry of Health for negligence. According to the investigation, these officials neglected their duties by improperly determining the annual need for medications, leading to less medication being purchased than necessary.
The problem was also discussed in the Regional Legislative Assembly during a committee meeting, with the Ministry identifying delays in deliveries, cancelled auctions, and delays in the arrival of medications through federal programs as some of the causes. As of March 18, more than 29,800 prescriptions, including 30% for diabetics and 3% for cancer patients, do not have the necessary medications.
Alexander Bastrykin later directed the Investigative Committee to report on the progress of the investigation into the negligence case related to supplying life-saving medications to residents of Krasnoyarsk Krai.
According to the office, the news program of a federal channel reported on the inadequate supply of life-saving medications to residents of Krasnoyarsk. People claim that authorized bodies refuse to issue discounted medications and do not take steps to address the situation.
Research shows that Russia, including regions like Krasnoyarsk Krai, has been facing shortages of specific critical medications, particularly antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS, due to various systemic and geopolitical factors. In 2021-2022, the Russian Ministry of Health reduced the share of expensive foreign HIV drugs in public procurement, contributing to shortages of popular medications like Eviplera in 12 regions, including some with acute shortages, although Krasnoyarsk Krai is not specifically mentioned. The supply and access to discounted prescription medications in regional areas such as Krasnoyarsk Krai might be similarly affected by national procurement changes and sanctions affecting drug imports and availability.
- A lack of necessary medications in the health-and-wellness sector for Krasnoyarsk Krai residents, particularly those with medical-conditions like diabetes and cancer, has been exacerbated by delays in deliveries, cancellations of auctions, and delays in the arrival of medications through federal programs, as discussed in the Regional Legislative Assembly.
- The investigation into the negligence case regarding the distribution of life-saving medications in Krasnoyarsk Krai, led by Russia's Investigative Committee under Alexander Bastrykin, has revealed the role of science and technology in this issue, as the shortages of specific critical medications, such as antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS, can be attributed to systemic and geopolitical factors that impact drug production, supply, and access on a national level.
